Three of the four newly elected members of the Onslow County Board of Education have been sworn into office.
Incumbent Ken Reddic was administered the oath of office along with new members Melissa Oakley and Eric Whitfield in a ceremony Tuesday night at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center.
“Now the real work begins,” Oakley said after the brief ceremony. Her family and Onslow County Commissioner Robin Knapp stood with her as she took the oath of office.
The three were sworn in by District Court Judge Michael Surles, who administered the oath from a microphone more than six feet away from the board members and their families to abide by safety guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Due to health concerns related to COVID-19, the swearing in of the school board members-elect will be done in two separate ceremonies and the first meeting of the newly elected Onslow County Board of Education will not be held until January.
The oath of office will be administered Tuesday, Dec. 15, Ken Reddic, who was re-elected to another term, and newcomers Melissa Oakley and Eric Whitfield. The ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center in Jacksonville.
Due to ongoing health concerns for newly elected board member Joseph Speranza, he will be sworn into office separately on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 4 p.m. at the ENCRSC. Speranza announced Nov. 25 on his social media page that he have tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined.